For your next vacation consider stepping outside your comfort zone with an exciting adventure vacation. Take in the sights and sounds of the outdoors up close while testing your skills against nature. Rock climbing, repelling, zip lining, canoeing, and camping out in a remote place can bring a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and wonderful memories. Families and friends who take adventure trips together will experience a special bonding. And there are even adventure trips that are hotel-based for those that just can’t give up a little luxury.

Here are some ideas for the best American adventure vacation plans.

Hike the Appalachian Trail

Hike a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. You will be immersed in the quiet, scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Sleep in primitive shelters along the way and tell stories by a campfire at night. Expert guides are available to help you learn hiking, camping, and backpacking techniques as well as survival skills. You will also learn the fascinating history of the Cherokees and how to identify native plant species. Fall is a favorite time for this adventure trip with lots of foliage color.

Mount Shasta Northern California

Minimal changes in elevation make this a good hiking area for beginners. You will enjoy the breathtaking scenery while hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. Lakeshore camp sites are great for swimming, relaxing and exploring. Local expert guides are available to lead you to secluded and stunning campsites along the PCT. They will share their knowledge of the area and even cook up delicious food for you. There will be plenty of opportunities to swim and explore along your hiking route.

Adventure in Yellowstone

There is no place Yellowstone for a variety of outdoor adventure. Dramatic canyons with colorful walls, thundering waterfalls, and the sawtooth mountains of the Teton’s provide an unforgettable backdrop for your adventures. Go biking or hiking through dense forests and around shimmering lakes. Watch mud pots bubble and Old Faithful gush skyward. Then take a thrilling raft trip down the Snake River.

Logan Reeve is a self-described Renaissance man, hiker in the Adirondacks near his home, builder of furniture in his Saratoga Springs workshop, and wordsmith at essayhunters.com. He hiked the Appalachian Trail three years ago.